The council also appointed Conor Foley as Borough Attorney and Steve B as municipal judge. Discussions included the appointment of John Baron to the planning board, with particular attention given to inquiries about the 94-unit residential development on Livingston Avenue.

The public comment period opened with a resident expressing gratitude to newly elected Councilman Baron and Councilwoman Michele Tolli for their service, along with questions regarding the development on Livingston Avenue. The original plans for a restaurant and hotel were abandoned, leading to the development of residential units to address affordable housing requirements. Tax implications of the development were briefly discussed, highlighting the community’s interest in the project’s impact on the local economy.

Following the public comments, the meeting proceeded to official appointments and elections. Councilman Bardi was nominated and elected council president, recognizing his long-standing service and contributions to the council. Conor Foley’s appointment as Borough Attorney and Steve B’s three-year tenure as municipal judge were approved, with Judge B succeeding Nancy Janiero, who had a distinguished legacy as mayor, prosecutor, and judge.

Judge Marcelino “Moose” Trillo, sworn in as municipal judge, paid homage to his predecessor’s contributions and expressed appreciation for the chance to serve the community. The council members unanimously approved annual appointments, which proceeded without debate, indicating a consensus on the selections made.

Eileen Fishman recused herself during the appointment of John Baron to the planning board, citing a conflict of interest due to Baron’s engineering expertise. The council then addressed 13 resolutions in a single motion, approving them unanimously and without contention, suggesting agreement and efficiency in the council’s proceedings.

Mayor James R. Spango’s report was brief, noting that he had no new updates to present, which led to the second round of public comments. Here, Councilman Baron and Councilman Bardi took the opportunity to thank the community for their support and reaffirm their commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the borough.

During the caucus meeting, the council introduced an ordinance for water main replacements and approved several resolutions, some of which required members to recuse themselves due to conflicts of interest. The council also engaged in a discussion about the recently completed reevaluation exercise and announced upcoming open sessions with the appraisal company to address community questions regarding taxation.

Council reports covered a broad spectrum of municipal concerns, including finance, administration, recreation, senior and family services, public works, public safety, and capital projects and engineering. Councilman Bardi’s mention of the tax reevaluation and the forthcoming Q&A sessions stood out, emphasizing the council’s focus on fiscal transparency and community engagement.